Why Yale Engineering? Anonymous

When my mother caught the flu last winter, I researched the developmental process of Tamiflu, the medicine she was prescribed, and how it operated to prevent the disease from progressing. I learned how researchers identified a specific protein used for viral transmission, utilized computational tools to identify a potent inhibitor, and brought their findings into clinical use through laboratory experiments. It fascinated me how a simple discovery of a viral protein could lead to something much greater, improving the health of millions. Engineering defines this same innovative process that I love: the application of scientific discoveries to the real world. It is the giver of life to pure research, building up simple concepts like proteins into groundbreaking inventions like anti-flu drugs. I want to be on the forefront of this revolution. I want to become a biomedical engineer.

However, I face a dilemma: I have only experienced the initial phase of this process. Having the opportunity to design cancer vaccines, develop new chemotherapy treatments, and even grow miniature organs in a cell culture dish has exposed me to the discovery side of engineering, the initial spark that starts it all. Yet, to aid patients in the future...